Swansea Local Information: 10 top things to know... more

  • 1. History of Swansea

    In medieval times the main industries in Swansea were leather and wool. In the 17th century the port was starting to become a very big part of the town, as coal mining grew in South Wales. Shipbuilding and iron were also big industries during this time. In the late 18th century the Swansea canal meant the port area became even busier. The North Dock was built in 1852 and the So...Read moreuth Dock was built in 1859. The Prince of Wales Dock was built in 1881, the Kings Dock in 1909 and the Queens Dock in 1920. Swansea suffered from heavy bombing in the Second World War and the town centre had to be rebuilt in the 1960s. The South Dock closed down in 1969 and then reopened as a marina in 1982. Swansea became a city in 1969. Read less

  • 2. Now in Swansea

    Swansea Marina is a modern area of restaurants, shops and marine businesses in the Maritime Quarter of the city. Swansea University is at the heart of city life along with Swansea City Football Club. Mumbles is the area to go for independent shops, cafes and restaurants as well as galleries showing local arts and crafts. Mumbles Lighthouse, built in 1794, is still in operation ...Read moretoday. The Gower Peninsular is popular with walkers and surfers and its beaches are said to be among the cleanest and most beautiful in Wales. Read less

  • 3. Events in Swansea

    Swansea Bay Summer Festival runs from May to September and includes a wide variety of events taking place for locals and holidaymakers. Swansea has its own annual comedy festival, which has been running for two years and is already attracting big names. Other annual events to take place in the city include the Wales National Airshow, Botanics in Bloom and the Admiral Swansea Ba...Read morey 10k race. The Gower Festival celebrates music, churches and summer evenings and takes place over two weeks in July. The Gower Rock Festival is a three-day live music event in July. It has been running for four years and has performances from local and national bands. The Gower Show is a one-day event in August that includes displays by dogs, horses and falcons and well as entertainment for the whole family. Other annual events include the MumblesGower OceanFest, Gower Cycling Festival, Gower Bluegrass Festival and Gower Cider Festival Weekend. Read less

  • 4. Attractions in Swansea

    The Dylan Thomas Centre attracts fans from all over the world and has a permanent exhibition about the writer as well as a programme of arts events and the Dylan Thomas Festival. The National Waterfront Museum uses modern interactive technology and displays to show the history of Wales. The Swansea Museum is the oldest museum in Wales and has an Egyptian mummy and floating exhi...Read morebits among its highlights. Oystermouth Castle overlooks Swansea Bay and the earliest building in the keep dates back to the 12th century. Oxwich Castle is the remains of a Tudor mansion and sits above Oxwich Bay, Gower. Plantasia is an indoor rainforest with insects, reptiles, fish, monkeys, exotic plants and more. Read less

  • 5. Things To Do in Swansea

    Ride the Swansea Bay Rider land train, which takes you along the seafront in Swansea Bay. Art galleries in the area include Attic Gallery, The Lovespoon Gallery and the Glyn Vivian Art Gallery. Dylan Thomas fans can take guided tours of Swansea, Mumbles and the Gower Peninsular, taking in important sites from the writer's life. Tours are also available of his former home.

  • 6. Business in Swansea

    Shopping facilities in Swansea are vast and varied. The Quadrant Shopping Centre has high street shops and department stores under one roof. Independent shops can be found in High Street, Plymouth Street and Castle Arcade. Oxford Street is the pedestrianised zone of the city centre and has all the big name brands. This region attracts over 50,000 visitors a week. Swansea Market...Read more is the largest indoor market in Wales and has over 100 stalls selling food, gifts, cards, flowers, clothes and more. Mumbles offers boutiques and smaller shops selling items such as surf wear and hand-crafted jewellery. Read less

  • 7. Transport in Swansea

    Swansea is in south west Wales. To travel by car it takes three and a half hours from London and nearly three hours from Birmingham. The M6, M5, M42 and M50 motorways link Swansea Bay to the rest of the UK. Swansea train station is in the city centre and just 15 minutes' walk from Swansea Bay. Frequent trains run direct from London Paddington, Bristol, Cardiff, Newport, Herefor...Read mored, Shrewsbury, Crewe and Manchester and there are good links to the rest of the UK. The nearest international airport to Swansea is Cardiff, which is 50 minutes away by road or rail and offers flights from major European cities. Ferries travel from Swansea to Cork and Pembrokeshire. Read less

  • 8. Entertainment in Swansea

    The Swansea Grand Theatre is the venue for big West End shows and music and dance performances. The venue also has its own regular comedy club. Pontardawe Arts Centre has a theatre, dance studio, cinema, meeting rooms and art gallery and its varied programme of events includes classical music, drama and dance, literature, children's theatre and blues and world music.

  • 9. Famous Landmarks in Swansea

    Mumbles Pier was built in 1898 and this Victorian structure is still in use today. It juts 225 metres out into Mumbles Bay. Oystermouth Castle sits above the bay and offers spectacular views. The building has been restored.

  • 10. Interesting Facts about Swansea

    Swansea has 32 miles of stunning coast with 52 named beaches and coves - that amounts to a beach for every week of the year.

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  • Swansea youngsters act like royalty

    Four budding young actors from Swansea have been given starring roles in a new production. The talented youngsters will take centre stage in The King & I in March at the New Theatre. The young actors who are from the Stagecoach Performing Arts School in Swansea include Kai Chilvers from Sketty, James Harvey from Penrice, Morgan Llywelyn Jones from Llanelli and Ted Drinkall from Carmarthenshire. James said he was delighted to have been selected for the role, saying: “It’s so …

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  • Children’s centre project to start in summer

    Work on a new, dedicated children’s development centre in Swansea is due to start by late summer. Through the scheme disabled youngsters and their families will have access to the care needed under one roof at the Singleton Hospital at Swansea.  Currently youngsters have to journey across the city to see health workers across different sites. The centre is set to be completed during Spring 2013. University Health Board spokeswoman An Abertawe Bro Morgannwg said: “Disabled children and their parents …

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  • Joy for Swansea author as film is nominated for Bafta

    A Swansea author is delighted that Submarine, a film that has been adapted from one of his books, has been nominated for a Bafta. The independent movie was a hit and won critical acclaim.  The film’s director Richard Ayoade is now up for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer Award. Swansea author Joe Dunthorne, who is a former Olchfa pupil who was originally from Mount Pleasant, commented: “I was really thrilled about the nomination.  I was surprised …

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  • Pupils get iPads to help with learning

    A school in Ammanford near Swansea is using state-of-the-art technology to help its pupils learn – even when they do not realise that they are. Ysgol Bro Banw, in Ammanford’s High Street, started using iPads in its classrooms last term. It started with the pupils getting 60 of the shiny tablets and, with an order in the New Year for 2012, this number has now increased to 100. The school’s Head Teacher Meryl Davies said: “We have got broadband throughout …

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